Lo Sberleffo Review
The Jesi dialect amateur theatre review at the Pergolesi Theatre
About Lo Sberleffo
A celebration of the Jesi dialect in the theatre
Lo Sberleffo is the review of amateur theatre in the Jesi dialect organised by the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini with the Municipality of Jesi, in the heart of the Province of Ancona. Every year, between winter and early spring, the prestigious G.B. Pergolesi Theatre opens its doors to amateur companies from the city and the Vallesina, who stage brilliant comedies performed entirely in the local dialect. It is one of the most cherished events by the people of Jesi, capable of filling the stalls, boxes, and gallery with spectators of all ages.
The dialect as popular heritage
The heart of the review is the language: the Jesi dialect, with its colourful expressions, idioms, and sharp irony that bring popular, recognisable characters to life. The comedies recount daily life, small family misunderstandings, village cunning, and everyday comical situations, in a theatre that is above all a mirror of the community. Performing and listening in dialect means preserving a cultural and emotional heritage that connects generations, from the elders who recognise words and sayings to the younger ones who learn to rediscover them.
Local companies
The protagonists are the local amateur companies, authentic institutions of the Jesi dialect scene, such as the "G. Bruciaferri" Theatre Company, the "Sipario!" Cultural Association, the "El Passì" Amateur Theatre Company, and "I Straccamerigge". Each group stages original works or adaptations written and directed by local authors and directors, the result of months of rehearsals and a deep bond with the audience that follows them year after year.
The Pergolesi Theatre, home of the review
The setting is the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, an 18th-century gem overlooking Piazza della Repubblica in Jesi and named after the great composer from Jesi. Seeing it filled for a dialect performance, alongside the major opera and drama seasons, is proof of how deeply Lo Sberleffo is rooted in the city's identity. The name of the review itself, "lo sberleffo", refers to the mocking grimace and popular laughter that are its spirit.
- Historic theatre in the centre of Jesi, in Piazza della Repubblica
- Performances entirely in the Jesi dialect
- Amateur companies from the city and the Vallesina
- Possibility of season tickets for all performances
Lo Sberleffo — edition 2026
The 21st edition of the Lo Sberleffo review of amateur theatre in the Jesi dialect took place at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre in Jesi between March 1 and April 1, 2026. Confirming the success of previous years, the review featured brilliant two-act comedies, performed entirely in the Jesi dialect, by amateur companies from the city and the surrounding area.
On the bill were the historic groups of the local dialect scene, with texts and direction by local authors, in front of a large audience that fills the stalls and boxes of the historic theatre every year. The review is organised by the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini with the Municipality of Jesi.
Programme Lo Sberleffo 2026
Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 5:30 PM
- "L'intimo e 'l destino" — "G. Bruciaferri" Theatre Company. A brilliant two-act comedy in the Jesi dialect by Marina Tonon, directed by Marco Silenzi.
Saturday, March 14, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- "La fija r'masta" — "I Straccamerigge" Amateur Dialect Company. A brilliant two-act comedy in the Jesi dialect by Loris Papaveri, directed by Stefano Schiavoni.
Saturday, March 21 (9:00 PM) and Sunday, March 22, 2026 (5:30 PM)
- "Tutto pe' 'n peletto dentro 'l letto" — "Sipario!" Cultural Association. A new comedy in the Jesi dialect written and directed by Claudio Corinaldesi, with music and lyrics by Luca Rocchetti.
Saturday, March 31 (9:15 PM) and Sunday, April 1, 2026 (5:15 PM)
- "Mejo prima... che dopo!" — "El Passì" Amateur Theatre Company. A brilliant two-act comedy in the Jesi dialect, a free adaptation of "Come 'l ca e 'l gatto" by Michele Cardinali, directed by Walter Ricci.
All performances took place at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre in Jesi.
Highlights Lo Sberleffo 2026
- 21st edition of the Jesi dialect review
- The new "Sipario!" comedy by Claudio Corinaldesi with live music by Luca Rocchetti
- The historic companies "G. Bruciaferri", "I Straccamerigge", and "El Passì"
- Evening and afternoon performances for weekend shows
Prices Lo Sberleffo 2026
Practical information — Lo Sberleffo
Where
G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, Piazza della Repubblica 9, 60035 Jesi (AN), in the historic centre of the city.
How to get there
By train: Jesi station is on the Rome-Ancona line, a few minutes' walk from the centre. By car: take the Jesi exit from the SS76 (Ancona-Perugia link road), parking near the historic centre. The nearest airport is Ancona-Falconara, about 20 km away.
Tickets
Season tickets for the three performances cost €39 (stalls, central and semi-central boxes only). Single tickets range from €10 to €16 depending on the sector. Tickets are sold at the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre box office (tel. +39 0731 206888), Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
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Where does it take place — Lo Sberleffo
Teatro G.B. Pergolesi
Piazza della Repubblica 9, 60035 Jesi